Library and community hub building begins in Cobham

An image from Shanly Homes of how the community hub will sit with new housing on the adjacent site

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Work on Cobham’s new community hub and replacement library has started.

The proposal to rebuild the library and a community centre along with 13 houses in Cedar Road was granted planning permission in November last year.

Now property developer Shanly Homes has begun work on the building, which will include a children’s day nursery.

The developers expect the project to be completed in autumn 2014, with a range of community spaces in the ground floor and a larger library on the first floor.

Dorothy Mitchell, ward councillor for Cobham and Downside, said: “This is a really innovative approach to providing new community facilities fit for the future.

“This is an exciting new project for Cobham and we can’t wait to see the finished result as it will be a great addition to our community.”

When work on the hub is completed, the adjacent land will be used for a residential development of thirteen three and four bedroom houses.

David Huggett, managing director of Shanly Homes in Leatherhead, said: “We take our duty to the local community very seriously and it is great to work on projects where housing is delivering improved facilities for the whole community to enjoy.”

Mr Huggett added: “Working in close partnership with the county and borough councils we wanted to ensure that this was a development which would reflect the historic nature of Cobham but at the same time add something new and exciting. We believe the new library and new homes will be a fantastic addition to Cobham.”

The proposal, granted permission on November 20 last year, divided the Cobham community with objectors raising concerns about the modern design and access to the community hub for pedestrians.

David Tipping, vice-chairman of Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust, said: “We are getting a library and some community space which is good but we are faced with 13 new houses and five parking spaces for the library and community space.

“I just feel that this is a great pity. The library and new community centre I am sure will be of great benefit to the community but at the end of the day I think we will have problems with parking and it is becoming a major issue in Cobham. If you want to attract people to Cobham and shop and use our facilities we have to make sure we provide the infrastructure.”

He added: “I hope it will be successful, Cobham needs a new library. I just hope that it gets greatly used and hope there aren’t problems with respect to parking.”